PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Allan E. Shefrin AU - Ran D. Goldman TI - Use of dexamethasone and prednisone in acute asthma exacerbations in pediatric patients DP - 2009 Jul 01 TA - Canadian Family Physician PG - 704--706 VI - 55 IP - 7 4099 - http://www.cfp.ca/content/55/7/704.short 4100 - http://www.cfp.ca/content/55/7/704.full SO - Can Fam Physician2009 Jul 01; 55 AB - QUESTION Children frequently present to my rural emergency department with asthma exacerbations. Should I prescribe systemic corticosteroids? If so, which systemic corticosteroid should I prescribe? ANSWER A short course of steroids is indicated in the treatment of asthma exacerbations. Both prednisone (1 to 2 mg/kg daily for 5 days) and dexamethasone (0.3 to 0.6 mg/kg daily for 1 to 5 days) are effective in reducing hospital admissions and unscheduled return to care, with minimal side effects.